Mesenteric or omental cyst; lymphangioma (antiquated)
Definitions
Subtype of congenital slow-flow vascular malformation due to error of lymphatic vessel formation
Results in well-defined, cyst-like (macrocystic) &/or infiltrative, solid-appearing (microcystic) mass of abnormal lymphatic channels focally or diffusely within mesentery
Individual cyst size: Macrocyst > 1 cm, microcyst < 1 cm
Often lacks communication with normal lymphatics
Not neoplastic
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Dori Y et al: Intramesenteric dynamic contrast pediatric MR lymphangiography: initial experience and comparison with intranodal and intrahepatic MR lymphangiography. Eur Radiol. 30(10):5777-84, 2020
Gasparella P et al: Giant lymphatic malformation causing abdominal compartment syndrome in a neonate: a rare surgical emergency. J Surg Case Rep. 2020(8):rjaa252, 2020
Dong J et al: CT lymphangiography (CTL) in primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (pil): a comparative study with intraoperative enteroscopy (IOE). Acad Radiol. 26(2):275-81, 2019
Prasad D et al: Clinical profile, response to therapy, and outcome of children with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia. Dig Dis. 37(6):458-66, 2019
Clement C et al: An acute presentation of pediatric mesenteric lymphangioma: a case report and literature overview. Acta Chir Belg. 118(5):331-5, 2018
ISSVA Classification of Vascular Anomalies. Published April 2014. Updated May 2018. Accessed March 20, 2021. http://issva.org/classification
Dillman JR et al: Imaging of the pediatric peritoneum, mesentery and omentum. Pediatr Radiol. 47(8):987-1000, 2017
Kim SH et al: Clinical features of mesenteric lymphatic malformation in children. J Pediatr Surg. 51(4):582-7, 2016
Bagrodia N et al: Management of lymphatic malformations in children. Curr Opin Pediatr. 27(3):356-63, 2015
Malone LJ et al: Pediatric lymphangiectasia: an imaging spectrum. Pediatr Radiol. 45(4):562-9, 2015
Elluru RG et al: Lymphatic malformations: diagnosis and management. Semin Pediatr Surg. 23(4):178-85, 2014
Russell KW et al: Sclerotherapy for intra-abdominal lymphatic malformations in children. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 24(4):317-21, 2014
Trenor CC 3rd et al: Complex lymphatic anomalies. Semin Pediatr Surg. 23(4):186-90, 2014
Cauley CE et al: Giant mesenteric lymphatic malformation presenting as small bowel volvulus. J Surg Case Rep. 2013(9), 2013
Chang TS et al: Mesenteric cystic masses: a series of 21 pediatric cases and review of the literature. Fetal Pediatr Pathol. 30(1):40-4, 2011
Chaudry G et al: Sclerotherapy of abdominal lymphatic malformations with doxycycline. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 22(10):1431-5, 2011
Traubici J et al: Mesenteric lymphatic malformation associated with small-bowel volvulus - two cases and a review of the literature. Pediatr Radiol. 32(5):362-5, 2002
Stoupis C et al: Bubbles in the belly: imaging of cystic mesenteric or omental masses. Radiographics. 14(4):729-37, 1994
Related Anatomy
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Related Differential Diagnoses
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Clinical Issues
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Synonyms
Mesenteric or omental cyst; lymphangioma (antiquated)
Definitions
Subtype of congenital slow-flow vascular malformation due to error of lymphatic vessel formation
Results in well-defined, cyst-like (macrocystic) &/or infiltrative, solid-appearing (microcystic) mass of abnormal lymphatic channels focally or diffusely within mesentery
Individual cyst size: Macrocyst > 1 cm, microcyst < 1 cm
Often lacks communication with normal lymphatics
Not neoplastic
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Dori Y et al: Intramesenteric dynamic contrast pediatric MR lymphangiography: initial experience and comparison with intranodal and intrahepatic MR lymphangiography. Eur Radiol. 30(10):5777-84, 2020
Gasparella P et al: Giant lymphatic malformation causing abdominal compartment syndrome in a neonate: a rare surgical emergency. J Surg Case Rep. 2020(8):rjaa252, 2020
Dong J et al: CT lymphangiography (CTL) in primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (pil): a comparative study with intraoperative enteroscopy (IOE). Acad Radiol. 26(2):275-81, 2019
Prasad D et al: Clinical profile, response to therapy, and outcome of children with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia. Dig Dis. 37(6):458-66, 2019
Clement C et al: An acute presentation of pediatric mesenteric lymphangioma: a case report and literature overview. Acta Chir Belg. 118(5):331-5, 2018
ISSVA Classification of Vascular Anomalies. Published April 2014. Updated May 2018. Accessed March 20, 2021. http://issva.org/classification
Dillman JR et al: Imaging of the pediatric peritoneum, mesentery and omentum. Pediatr Radiol. 47(8):987-1000, 2017
Kim SH et al: Clinical features of mesenteric lymphatic malformation in children. J Pediatr Surg. 51(4):582-7, 2016
Bagrodia N et al: Management of lymphatic malformations in children. Curr Opin Pediatr. 27(3):356-63, 2015
Malone LJ et al: Pediatric lymphangiectasia: an imaging spectrum. Pediatr Radiol. 45(4):562-9, 2015
Elluru RG et al: Lymphatic malformations: diagnosis and management. Semin Pediatr Surg. 23(4):178-85, 2014
Russell KW et al: Sclerotherapy for intra-abdominal lymphatic malformations in children. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 24(4):317-21, 2014
Trenor CC 3rd et al: Complex lymphatic anomalies. Semin Pediatr Surg. 23(4):186-90, 2014
Cauley CE et al: Giant mesenteric lymphatic malformation presenting as small bowel volvulus. J Surg Case Rep. 2013(9), 2013
Chang TS et al: Mesenteric cystic masses: a series of 21 pediatric cases and review of the literature. Fetal Pediatr Pathol. 30(1):40-4, 2011
Chaudry G et al: Sclerotherapy of abdominal lymphatic malformations with doxycycline. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 22(10):1431-5, 2011
Traubici J et al: Mesenteric lymphatic malformation associated with small-bowel volvulus - two cases and a review of the literature. Pediatr Radiol. 32(5):362-5, 2002
Stoupis C et al: Bubbles in the belly: imaging of cystic mesenteric or omental masses. Radiographics. 14(4):729-37, 1994
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